VOA – CONNECT
EPISODE 62
AIR DATE 03 22 2019
TRANSCRIPT
OPEN ((VO/NAT))
((Banner))
A Fresh Start
((SOT))
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
The Decline of Malls
((SOT))
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
A Hollywood Perspective
((SOT))
((Open Animation))
BLOCK A
((PKG)) EX-GANG MEMBER
((Banner: Starting Fresh))
((Reporter/Camera: Arturo Martinez))
((Map: Los Angeles, California))
((NATS))
((LYRICS – Los Angeles Queen by King Neeko))
((Music: Jerry Hill))
"This story is based on Osita,
A Los Angeles queen,
from that F"
((NATS))
((Sherry Lisa García, Former gang member))
People when they meet me after I tell my story, they tell me, "you are a legend". Everything that I went through and I'm still here to talk about it. That's why I put legend on me.
((LYRICS – Los Angeles Queen by King Neeko))
((Music: Jerry Hill))
"So, by the time I turned 12, I was doing drugs,
Running up on men, asking them where they're from.
I loved stealing cars. I loved playing with guns.
So, I ain't had no childhood ‘cause I was on the run."
((Sherry Lisa García, Former gang member))
My name is Sherry Garcia and I am working at Homeboy Industries. It's basically to help you to get ready for a job and to learn how to act on yourself. If I wouldn't had came to Homeboy, who knows what I'd be doing right now.
((Emily Chapa, Substance Abuse Crisis Councilor, Homeboy Industries))
So, Homeboy Industries is an 18-month training program for gang members and recently released incarcerated men and women.
((NATS))
((Sherry Lisa García, Former gang member))
I've been here five months now and it's changed me. I learned how to humble myself. I learned how to look at this person like not an enemy. I love this place.
((NATS))
So, what does it feel like if you're not willing to forgive yourself and how does it hold you back from growing?
((NATS))
((Sherry Lisa García, Former gang member))
It's hard. I'm barely working on forgiving my mom. I was getting beat as a little girl. My mom was an alcoholic, on drugs. She was in an abusive relationship. I just remember he would come home drunk and my mom would tell me “run”.
((Emily Chapa, Substance Abuse Crisis Councilor, Homeboy Industries))
How do we make the tragic that we've been through, how do we turn that into a positive? We have tours and what they do is, they go throughout the facility and they tell what we do here, but they also get to share a part of their story and each time they get in more acceptance and more acceptance of their own story.
((Sherry Lisa García, Former gang member))
So then, at 12 years old, my mom don't like my attitude. So, she takes me to the park and there is a bunch of cholas there and I'm like she introduced me to everybody and "you're going to get into the gang" and I was like what do you mean get into the gang. Then I started pimping and getting high, selling drugs. To me when I got high, it made me numb like I'm not going to sit here and cry and think about oh, my mom don't care about me. I'm just going to get high. But the next day when you wake up, you still got the same problems, and I believe I overdosed a couple of times.
((NATS))
((Jerry Hill, Trainee, Homeboy Industries))
I'm actually a part of Homeboy Industries as well and I'm trying to rehabilitate my life as well. When she did tell me her story, it inspired me to sit down with her, wrote some stuff out about her life. Yeah, I write my own music. I'm King Neeko.
((LYRICS – Los Angeles Queen by King Neeko))
((Music: Jerry Hill))
"Los Angeles.
My streets get crazy, overdoses daily.
Los Angeles.
13 years old, I'm pimping hoes and banging.
Los Angeles."
((Sherry Lisa García, Former gang member))
This park right here is where I used to hang out at and drink all day, and I used to wake up every morning and come over here.
((NATS))
((Sherry Lisa García, Former gang member))
The neighborhood is always going to be there. I will never forget who they are and where I came from. I'll never forget that. It's just that I stay my distance. No, I never got out. I just stay away. You cannot get out.
((NATS))
((Sherry Lisa García, Former gang member))
I did walk in here a couple of times. I said, I can't do it. There's different hoods here. There's enemies here. So, I finally made it through the second door and I told Father G. He said, "How can I help you, kiddo?" I said, man, I'm gang banging, I'm doing this, I live in the hood and I need help.
((NATS))
((Emily Chapa, Substance Abuse Crisis Councilor, Homeboy Industries))
During the process of being here, they also get some skills of how to work janitorial, maybe working in the bakery, maybe working in an office. So now, they have a resume that shows that they have current job history and then the goal is to get them employment outside of Homeboy Industries.
((NATS))
This is called switching. This is really good if you are in front of the computer.
((Emily Chapa, Substance Abuse Crisis Councilor, Homeboy Industries))
We have communal gang anonymous, we have parenting, and we also have substance abuse classes. And so, what the individuals do is they come in and they learn to work on themselves.
((NATS))
((Sherry Lisa García, Former gang member))
Right here is the tattoo removal. It's laser and also like I said, it's going to take a couple of treatments.
((NATS))
So, your mom, she's going to go through some discomfort right now. It's going to feel like popping grease. Three, two, one, breathe. Here we go. And you are all done. So, we are done for now.
((Sherry Lisa García, Former gang member))
It hurts like hot burning oil. Really bad.
((NATS--Sherry’s daughter))
She is a strong woman.
((Sherry Lisa García, Former gang member))
Well, people judge me everywhere I go. People look at me because of the tattoos. It's even hard to get an apartment.
((NATS))
Do you want one of these for now?
((Sherry’s daughters))
Yes.
((Sherry Lisa García, Former gang member))
So, how was your day?
((Sherry’s granddaughter))
Good.
((Sherry Lisa García, former gang member))
I'm just asking because they did a class today and I don't even know how to move the mouse and all that.
((Sherry’s daughter))
Well, I know how to move the mouse.
((Sherry Lisa García, former gang member))
You know how to do it? And I don't. I got my girls to think about. I'm trying to show them a better life than, I'm not saying I'm perfect but, a better life than what my mom showed me because I don't want them to grow up the way I did.
((LYRICS – Los Angeles Queen by King Neeko))
((Music: Jerry Hill))
"I'm proud of you homegirl.
This song was inspired by you."
((NATS))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up
((Banner))
Sikh Faith
((SOT))
BREAK ONE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK B
((PKG)) DECLINE OF MALLS
((Banner: Changing America / Decline of Malls))
((Reporter/Camera: Deepak Dobhal))
((Map: Alexandria, Virginia))
((NATS))
((Jack Browand, Local Resident))
Walking around here today, it's kind of surreal to see how dead it is.
((NATS))
((Jack Browand, Local Resident))
You do remember how vibrant it once was, particularly when it first reopened. It was pretty much a bustling mall and it was very crowded and used quite extensively. I actually rented my tuxedo for my senior prom from the tuxedo shop that was up here when it was the old outdoor mall.
((NATS))
((Jack Browand, Local Resident))
There was also an ice cream parlor, I remember, up here. So, you know, I did probably pick something up to eat here. I do have a lot of memories, particularly growing up. I mean, this mall opened up in the late or mid-sixties. I was born in the late sixties. I have never been probably more than three to four miles away from the mall. It would be a place where we would come to get together with your friends or just hang out. You still long for some of that stuff.
((Pop-up Banner: The U.S. shopping mall boom began in the 1970s, fueled by a growing suburban population))
((Mark Bulmash, The Howard and Hughes Corp.))
There were just too many malls in this area servicing the population. I think fundamentally in the United States, we overbuilt the amount of retail here. Our retail square footage per capita is three to four times what it is in any other developed country around the world. Fundamentally, it was unsustainable. Online retail made things even worse.
((Pop-up Banner: Around 500 shopping malls have closed in the U.S.))
((Mark Bulmash, The Howard and Hughes Corp.))
And that happens a lot in capitalism and other places, right? We overdo it. It gets dialed back. People make adjustments to succeed.
((NATS))
((Pop-up Banner: Hundreds of malls across the U.S. are being repurposed.))
((Mark Bulmash, The Howard and Hughes Corp.))
Now we see it as an opportunity to create this great master plan mixed-use project.
((NATS))
((Mark Bulmash, The Howard and Hughes Corp.))
We will compete differently. It won't go head-to-head with these large malls.
((NATS))
((Mark Bulmash, The Howard and Hughes Corp.))
It'll be more about servicing the community’s needs with things like theaters and health clubs and restaurants and things of that ilk.
((NATS))
((Mark Bulmash, The Howard and Hughes Corp.))
You're also going to see a strong emphasis on placemaking, on gathering spaces and creating opportunities for people in the community to come together in one place.
((NATS))
((Jack Browand, Local Resident))
I think people are right now, they're ready to see something new, see this place come alive. I guess we're looking at the start of a new beginning. It was in better shape than I thought but also, you know, pretty lonely walking around the mall by yourself. You don’t know really what to think when you are walking around in a space that big that’s completely empty.
((NATS))
((Banner: Experts believe that another 250-300 malls will either fail or will be repurposed in coming years.))
((PKG)) SIKH TEMPLE
((Banner: Faith/ Community Spirit))
((Reporter/Camera: Zahid Khattak))
((Map: Fairfax, Virginia))
((Popup Banner: Engineering student Pawan Singh attends a Sikh temple or Gurdwara in Northern Virginia))
((NATS))
((Pawan Singh, engineering student attending a Sikh Temple))
When you do meditation as a part of a larger community of what we are doing this evening, it sort of controls your ego. You do not feel arrogant that somehow you are better than others. You are at the same level as others.
((Popup Banner: Langar is a temple kitchen used to prepare meal for all, regardless of religion or any other distinction.))
((NATS))
((Pawan Singh, engineering student attending a Sikh Temple))
Everything that we do is based on voluntary offerings that comes from different people. So, the community gets together and they cook the meal here in the kitchen downstairs at this Gurdwara, and so does it happen worldwide. Wherever you see Langar, it’s all voluntary based.
((NATS))
((Pawan Singh, engineering student attending a Sikh Temple))
Well, the religion itself focuses heavily on dignity of humankind and serving Langar, where everybody sits together on the floor at the same level, sort of bonds that and reiterates that all humans are created equal and there is a huge emphasis on gender equality, equality of all humankind to the level that even if you follow a different faith, we do not say that you are not going to achieve your destination. We feel that anybody, belonging to any religion, any cast, any race, any social level, any economic level, can attain peace and attain God.
((NATS))
((Pawan Singh, engineering student attending a Sikh Temple))
What the Sikh faith says is that there are two parallels. There is a physical body and then there is the soul which is the spiritual. So, if your body is hungry, your soul cannot even focus on attaining God. So, it’s for those who are needy, and then also, you might not need the food but you need to bring your mind to the level of the Guru. You must commit that you are a student of the Guru and the Guru says that all are created equal.
((NATS))
((Pawan Singh, engineering student attending a Sikh Temple))
Langar means anchor. Anchor is used on ships so the ship does not just move around. So, just like that, Langar anchors ourselves, our bodies and our minds to the Guru which is the teacher. So, as long as you stay within the boundaries of the Guru, you will not be destroyed just how a ship does not get destroyed once the anchor is in the sea.
((NATS))
((Pawan Singh, engineering student attending a Sikh Temple))
You do not have to be Sikh to appreciate the values that are given by this faith that is equality, justice and freedom for all.
((NATS))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up
((Banner))
Sculpting Reality
((SOT))
BREAK TWO
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK C
((Banner: The Arts))
((PKG)) MUSLIM AMERICAN FILMMAKER
((Banner: Behind the Camera))
((Reporter/Camera: Elizabeth Lee))
((Map: Los Angeles, California))
((NATS))
((Lena Khan, Hollywood Writer / Director))
My name is Lena Khan and I am a writer and director. When I was starting out, like people in the community, South Asian most of all, they were like, “why are you entering such a stupid career?” I like what I’m doing. I like it. I feel like it has some value. It’s incredibly fun, and I’m also a faithful person, whereas it’s always
((Courtesy: Keysi Estrada))
for me, it’s about, sort of like how you went about your day and, kind of what you tried and the results are up to God.
((End Courtesy))
((NATS))
((Lena Khan, Hollywood Writer / Director))
My parents are both from India. I used to be at a couple production companies in various capacities and people would always send me all the scripts that had anything to do with anywhere ranging from the Middle East to Southeast Asia, and they would be like, “Oh, give it to Lena. Maybe she’ll know something about it.” I can see subtle things, just that sort of a surprise when they find out I have normal interests and do normal things.
((Courtesy: Keysi Estrada))
It’s very hard to be a female filmmaker in Hollywood. That is for sure. I think they feel like
((End Courtesy))
you don’t have as much authority or you can’t command a set as much or they don’t, does seem like they won’t give you a chance or risk quite as much.
((Courtesy: Keysi Estrada))
And for the Muslim thing, I just think they are still trying to process that.
((End Courtesy))
((Courtesy: Shout! Factory! Sneaky Sneaky Films))
((Movie NAT pop)):
The Tiger Hunter is about a young man who immigrates from India in the 1970s, kind of, on this big quest for success but really what it is is about him trying to, kind of, live up to the big shoes of his father.
((End Courtesy))
((Lena Khan, Hollywood Writer / Director))
I wouldn’t have a career if I didn’t do this movie. It’s literally the thing that got me everything.
((Courtesy: Shout! Factory! Sneaky Sneaky Films))
((Movie NAT pop)):
Well there is one more thing. Ruby.
((End Courtesy))
((Lena Khan, Hollywood Writer / Director))
People who are South Asian or Muslim can’t seem to believe that our stories have any really real value. And so, the moment you start talking about, “Oh, you know, such and such person from this company a.k.a. white person said this movie is good” that’s when their eyebrows raise. That’s when they feel like, “Oh, ok, somebody else validated this brown person’s story” and thus it has something to say.
((Courtesy: Shout! Factory! Sneaky Sneaky Films))
((Movie NAT pop)):
I can see Gemini.
((End Courtesy))
((Lena Khan, Hollywood Writer / Director))
I’m doing a TV show. I’m on a Disney movie right now and some various other things and all of it is because of The Tiger Hunter.
((Courtesy: Keysi Estrada))
((Lena Khan, Hollywood Writer / Director))
Any kind of facets that I think make me a minority whether it’s female, Muslim, etc., definitely not a plus.
((End Courtesy))
((Lena Khan, Hollywood Writer / Director))
For me, what’s always worked is when it comes down to the work, not paying attention at all to what my background is, kind of being oblivious to those sorts of barriers, because then you just do what you got to do.
((Courtesy: John Tucci))
((Lena Khan, Hollywood Writer / Director))
But when it comes to networking and sort of being strategic or whatever it is, the more we help each other rise, I think everybody sort of goes up and that was a big decision even with The Tiger Hunter.
((End Courtesy))
((PKG)) PIA – KAZUHIRO TSUJI / PART 1
((Banner: Art and Life))
((Executive Producer: Marsha James))
((Camera: Kaveh Rezaei))
((Map: Washington, D.C.))
((NATS))
((Kazuhiro Tsuji, Hyperrealist Sculptor & Special Effects Makeup Artist))
The one thing I enjoy is there’s a whole process of creating because that's when I become myself. I believe that life lives in all details. Even just one hair talks about that person and I like noticing those details.
((Kazuhiro Tsuji, Hyperrealist Sculptor & Special Effects Makeup Artist))
My name is Kazuhiro Tsuji and I’m doing portraits, sculptures, and also sometimes I work on a film.
((NATS))
((Kazuhiro Tsuji, Hyperrealist Sculptor & Special Effects Makeup Artist))
I'm from Kyoto, Japan. And when I was a child, I was really like an introvert. My parents divorced when I was 15 and I haven't seen my father in over 30 years. Most of the time I was by myself, making something at home. So, what I'm doing right now, I think it’s because of that.
((NATS))
((Kazuhiro Tsuji, Hyperrealist Sculptor & Special Effects Makeup Artist))
When I first saw makeup done by Dick Smith in a magazine, which was makeup of Abraham Lincoln, I was so fascinated by it. I thought, this is it. This is what I really want to do.
I started to work on set, doing application on the makeup on actors and that was a time I started to feel like really this is really stressful for me. Work on a film set is so unpredictable. It's lots of waiting and you don't know what's going to happen next. Lots of anxiety. I started realizing, okay, this is not good for me because I started this work because of my passion. And so, is this something I have to deal with whole my life?
((NATS))
((Kazuhiro Tsuji, Hyperrealist Sculptor & Special Effects Makeup Artist))
Dick Smith was born 1922 and 2002, that was his 80 years of birthday and I decided to create his portrait. And when I showed it to him, he was really touched by it and he was crying and very emotional. That moment I thought, I really want to do this for my living. I decided to stop taking film work and try to concentrate on creating portraits. Life is interesting because once I made a commitment, good things start to happen.
((NATS))
((Kazuhiro Tsuji, Hyperrealist Sculptor & Special Effects Makeup Artist))
When I create sculptures, I intentionally try to create from inside out. The great thing about it is, it is three-dimensional. So, depend on the height of the viewer and what their mental state and that will reflect almost like as a mirror. Even if the audience, they don't know who this person is, they start to somehow connect to each other and size wise, it’s bigger than life. Almost that will make them feel like a child.
((NATS))
((Kazuhiro Tsuji, Hyperrealist Sculptor & Special Effects Makeup Artist))
To create this portrait, it usually takes about two months-and-a-half to four months. It depends on the subject I created. Most of the people who went through lots of struggle in their life, and they made a breakthrough, and they found the way to live. So, by creating those people, I also encourage myself to figure out what is life about and also that will inspire many people.
((NATS))
((PKG)) HIPHOP BALLET FUSION
((Banner: Hip Hop Ballet))
((Reporter: Ksenia Turkova))
((Camera: Mike Maisuradze))
((Adapted by: Philip Alexiou))
((Map: Chicago, Illinois))
((Homer “Hans” Bryant, Founder, Hiplet; Artistic Director, Chicago Multicultural Dance Center))
How did I mix ballet and hip-hop? As a classical ballet teacher with lots of African American kids and kids of color, I decided to make it fun. So, I used to do what I call the rapper ballet. I would rap about ballet. I would say, “The ballet puts your body in touch with your mind when the rap beat keeps you step in on time.” And the kids were like, wow, this is cool. But, as I started rapping to different exercises, I realized that they were understanding and paying attention because of the rap beat.
((NATS))
((Homer “Hans” Bryant, Founder, Hiplet; Artistic Director, Chicago Multicultural Dance Center))
And I kept thinking, hip hop and ballet, ballet, hip hop….Hiplet!
((NATS))
((Homer “Hans” Bryant, Founder, Hiplet; Artistic Director, Chicago Multicultural Dance Center))
I don’t care your shape or size and that’s another thing about classical ballet. You have to be this thin, anorexic looking, you know, long neck, skinny arms, beautiful. That’s not how it is with the Hiplet ballerinas.
((NATS))
((Lourdes Taylor, Hiplet Dancer))
It’s really kind of a beautiful blend of things but are from different places and different cultures and takes a lot of technique and skill, but also a lot of like, grind and energy and soul, and so, it just combines all the things that I personally love about dance into one art form.
((NAT))
NEXT WEEK
((Banner: Capital Clubhouse))
((SOT))
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
BREAK
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
SHOW ENDS